Scan (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scanned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Scanning.] [L. scandere, scansum, to climb, to scan, akin to Skr. skand to spring, leap: cf. F. scander. Cf. Ascend, Descend, Scale a ladder.] 1. To mount by steps; to go through with step by step. [Obs.]
Nor stayed till she the highest stage had scand.
Spenser.
2. Specifically Pros., to go through with, as a verse, marking and distinguishing the feet of which it is composed; to show, in reading, the metrical structure of; to recite metrically.
3. To go over and examine point by point; to examine with care; to look closely at or into; to scrutinize.
The actions of men in high stations are all conspicuous, and liable to be scanned and sifted.
Atterbury.
5. (ELectronics) To form an image or an electronic representation of, by passing a beam of light or electrons over, and detecting and recording the reflected or transmitted signal. -->
© Webster 1913. | 
